My body my laboratory - Article Example

My Body, My Laboratory The progress, research and discoveries in science have definitely contributed to the well being, betterment and advantage of the human race. It goes without saying that every scientific research and study at some stage or other requires laboratory trials and experimentation. Even a cursory perusal of the history of Western scientific development yields the names of many scientists who in one way or other put their personal safety and health in jeopardy to test the validity and reliability of their scientific beliefs and hypothesis.

Everybody knows the story of Galileo who invited the wrath of the Church by declaring that it was the sun that lied at the center of the universe. In the contemporary times everybody knows about the Nobel Laureate Madam Curie who acquired the deathly aplastic anemia because of her vigorous experimentation with radio isotopes. However, the article My Body, My Laboratory by Eben Harrell on the picking up trend of the usage of one’s body, voluntarily and in full awareness by the scientific researchers as a human laboratory to test their theories, raises many serious social and ethical questions.

The trend towards the usage of personal body as a laboratory is justified and makes sense when placed in the right historical context. In the past the progress of science was practically impeded by the constraints imposed by popular beliefs, taboos and immense religious suppression. The very possibility of testing the scientific theories publically would have often placed the life and safety of the involved scientists at risk. Besides, their existed little advanced testing devices and methodologies that allowed for a systematic study and verification of the scientific theories proposed by the scientists.

So the scientists were often well justified in using their body as a laboratory to test their beliefs and theories. On the one side it extended to them a measure of secretiveness and seclusion, thereby protecting them from the reaction of the social and theological forces inimical towards scientific discoveries that contradicted the scriptural beliefs and dogmas. On the other hand such self experimentation allowed the scientific minded luminaries a firsthand experience that enabled them to directly experience the veracity of what they believed in, thereby allowing for the progress of their cause.

However, in contemporary times such self experimentation could not be supported and rationalized. Firstly, many a times it puts the life of the experimenters at risk. Even if one supports such an approach in the name of altruism, practically speaking there is no need for it. Today, scientific research has entered and entirely new era where not only it is methodically codified and regulated, but is supported by state of the art R&D facilities, fool proof methodologies and apt biological, chemical and digital techniques and gadgets that are immaculately sufficient in testing and measuring the nuances associated with varied scientific theories.

In a contemporary context, the very need for retaining the sanctity and reliability of scientific research warrants discipline, restraint and patience. Thus, most of the cases mentioned by Harrell in his article seem to be resorting to such experimentation, more out a lack of patience, inability to defer to established and universally reliable procedures and the need for instant publicity. The usage of one’s body as a laboratory may sometimes yield positive or even groundbreaking results.

However, in the 21st century, scientific research needs more discipline, codification and scientific reliability, which more than often cannot be furnished by such adventurism. Especially more so, when scientific research commands such a ubiquitous social and institutional support and trust around the world. Works Cited Harrell, Eben. “My Body, My Laboratory”. Time Health and Science. 6 March 2011. 24 May 2011 .